Narrative-first, evidence-driven

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Use when: school board, city council, county, zoning, commissions.
Goal: one clear ask in the record, plus one follow-up.

Before the meeting (20 minutes)

1. Read the agenda (find the decision point)
2. Identify the decider(s) (members + chair)
3. Write your 90-second testimony (one point, one ask)
4. Find the lever (vote, budget item, contract, timeline)
5. Email your ask in advance (optional, powerful)

During the meeting

• Be calm and specific
• Say your measurable outcome
• Thank them and stop talking

After the meeting (10 minutes)

1. Send a follow-up email: repeat the one ask + metric
2. Log it
3. Set one follow-up date

Watchouts

• Meetings can become performance art. Don’t take the bait.
• Don’t litigate motives. Ask for actions.

What success looks like

Your ask is on the record. A staffer replies. A date exists for next steps.

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